For the first time since 2006, the International Falls football team has finished the regular season without a losing record.
The Broncos enter next Tuesday's Section 7AAA quarterfinal game at Two Harbors with a 4-4 record overall and 3-3 in the Sea Range Conference following Wednesday night's 38-20 home victory over Greenway/Nashwauk-Keewatin.
"I'm just very happy to get back to that .500 mark," said Falls head coach Jay Boyle. "It's been too long for us."
The Titans scored first with 8:50 to play in the opening quarter on a 58-yard touchdown run by Damon Meza. GNK remained in front 6-0 after the pass for the 2-point conversion failed.
"Unfortunately, we gave up an easy one when we weren't ready for it, but we were able to make the adjustments and hold them for most of the rest of the game," Boyle said.
After the Broncos stopped the Titans on downs near midfield, Falls quarterback Jakob Eide connected with Cody Hallin for the a 50-yard touchdown pass with 4:49 left in the first quarter. Jakob Ettestad ran in the 2-point conversion to put the Broncos in front, 8-6.
Falls scored again 17 seconds later when Luke Spilde intercepted a pass at midfield and returned it for a touchdown. Ettestad ran in the 2-point conversion to extend the Broncos' lead to 16-6.
Hallin scored his second touchdown of the game with 8:14 left in the first half on an 83-yard pass from Eide. Ettestad once again ran in the 2-point conversion to give the Falls a 24-6 lead.
Hallin led the Broncos in receiving with his two touchdown catches for 133 yards.
The Falls' final scoring drive of the first half included converting three fourth-down plays capped off by a 6-yard touchdown pass from Eide to Ethan Phung with 11 seconds before intermission. Ettestad ran in his fourth 2-point conversion of the game to give the Broncos a 32-6 lead at halftime.
Eide ended up completing five of 10 passes for 150 yards and three touchdowns with one interception.
After a scoreless third quarter, GNK outscored the Falls, 14-6, in the final 12 minutes.
Titans running back Mitch Bonderson scored on a 2-yard touchdown run with 8:56 to play. The Falls remained in front 32-12 after the pass for the 2-point conversion failed.
Broncos freshman running back Nick Hedtke scored Falls' final touchdown on a 16-yard run with 3:01 remaining. The pass for the 2-point conversion failed.
The Titans picked their final touchdown with 2:44 to play on a 60-yard run by Spencer Potter, who added the 2-point conversion to cut the Broncos' lead to 38-20.
GNK lost by 18 points despite outgaining the Falls in total offense, 396-244, with the Titans recording more rushing yardage (224-94) and passing yards (172-150).
The Falls is entering the Section 7AAA playoffs as the No. 5 seed, while GNK ended up seeded No. 6. The winner between the Falls and No. 4-seeded Two Harbors will play the semifinal game at top-seeded Proctor on Oct. 26 at 1 p.m.
"I think we've improved as the season has gone on," Boyle said. "I think we were a good enough team to beat Two Harbors last time. We just didn't get it done.
"Our guys know what they need to do. We know what our keys need to be. We just need to have a good five days of practice here our next five days and be ready to go down there and take care of business - keep this season rolling."
I. Falls 38, GNK 20
I. Falls 16 16 0 6 - 38
GNK 6 0 0 14 - 20
Scoring: GNK: Damon Meza, 58-yard run (pass failed); IF: Cody Hallin, 50-yard pass from Jakob Eide (Jakob Ettestad run); IF: Luke Spilde, 50-yard interception return (Ettestad run); IF: Hallin, 83-yard pass from Eide (Ettestad run); IF: Ethan Phung, 6-yard pass from Eide (Ettestad run); GNK: Mitch Bonderson, 2-yard run (pass failed); IF: Nick Hedtke, 16-yard run (pass failed) GNK: Spencer Potter, 60 yard-run (Potter run).
